Just a a day or so ago, the Pope announced the commencement of a fasting and prayer period for the nation of Syria.

This is normal and ok, except when you stick your head out of the box and think a bit about it.

Now, assuming that prayers are a real and effective communication with god, one should have some expectations that whatever it is that at 1.2 billion catholic units of humanity are asking for would be granted.

That is what we have been taught: That god answers all prayers.

Thinking from out of the box, my questions are:
What exactly are we praying for in Syria, and how would we know whether our prayers had been granted or not?

When two or more sides of humanity are in conflict and warring with themselves, what exactly is god expected to do?
Is there any evidence that god has ever intervened in any human conflict in history?

I have no doubts that the Muslim, Christian ,and other religious sects in Syria been praying for the past 2 years for an end to the conflict that has brought so much death and destruction to their country.
So far, there has been no indication of any observable divine intervention.

So, what is this new special Pope led prayer supposed to to do for the people of Syria , who, in a few days to come, will suffer death, injury or have their lives and their nation destroyed?
Will prayer shield all of Syria from falling bombs?
Whom would it shield, and whom would it not shield?

Someone will soon say that god works in mysterious ways. I have heard that so many times.
But, if so, then why bother at all with prayer? Why bother with faith, why bother with god?
Why not let the mysterious god continue with his mysterious ways, so that we humans can focus on taking the right actions to make our world a peaceful and better place?

Since we are so sure that god works in mysterious ways , and therefore does not answer any prayers, as this conflict has and will continue to demonstrate, the implications for everyone is that( sorry to burst your bubbles), all the megatons of prayer generated this Sunday, will follow the same pattern as previous ones.
Which is why everyday till next Sunday, you will repeat the same thing over and over again, expecting a different outcome with each try.

So, is prayer simply a gamble?

No amount of prayer will ever stop the middle east from being a war zone. Their religious fanaticism made it impossible.

Eventually Syria or any other terrorist nation in that zone would be wiped out from the face of the earth, it's just a matter of time.

Christian Yahweh or Muslim Allah has nothing to do with it.

In war, god fights on the side with the best artillery. -Napoleon Bonaparte

Dan_de_Numeruno: No amount of prayer will ever stop the middle east from being a war zone. Their religious fanaticism made it impossible.

Eventually Syria or any other terrorist nation in that zone would be wiped out from the face of the earth, it's just a matter of time.

Christian Yahweh or Muslim Allah has nothing to do with it.

very true
like I always say, if the world Is to end today, it would start from the from the middle east

"Plaetton,"this your post is absolutely WONDERFUL.Just look at it...well written,well thought through,articulate...perfect.THESE are the type of threads from the religion section that should get to the frontpage.

Oh my, why do i just love this thread?

Syria should be the ultimate test for existence and power of god. Let's see how god will work his miracle in Syria.
What will ultimately prevail, the will of god or the will of man?

plaetton: Syria should be the ultimate test for existence and power of god. Let's see how god will work his miracle in Syria.
What will ultimately prevail, the will of god or the will of man?

God will fail again!

Syrian refugees are already in the thousands